Methods for a user selectable digital mirror

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, a method provides a display device. The method senses the presence of the user or scene change within the field of view of the system&#39;s image sensor with a built-in image signal processor. The method automatically and concurrently powers on the image sensor. The method lights one or more lights around the display device in response to sense the presence of the user or scene change. The method captures one or more frames of images of a user or scene change with the image sensor. Each frame includes an M by N array of pixel data. The M by N array of pixel data comprises a data structure consisting of a collection of pixel elements enumerated as pixel P 11  to pixel P m1 . The method stores the M by N array of pixel data as a frame of data written into a frame buffer memory of the display device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This non-provisional U.S. patent application claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/497,190 filed on Apr. 25, 2017 by John W.Rowles, et al., entitled METHODS FOR USER SELECTABLE DIGITAL MIRROR,which is incorporated herein by reference.

Non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/497,190 claimpriority to non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/841,688filed on Aug. 31, 2015 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,961,245. Non-provisional U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/841,688 claim priority to non-provisionalU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/029,094 filed on Feb. 16, 2011 andU.S. Pat. No. 9,122,320. Non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/029,094 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/338,105 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 by John W. Rowles, et al.,entitled DIGITAL MIRROR, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thisnon-provisional U.S. patent application also claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,106 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 byJohn W. Rowles, et al., entitled TECHNIQUES FOR IMAGE CAPTURE THROUGHLIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/399,300 filed on Jul. 10, 2010 by John Rowles, et al., entitledDIGITAL MIRROR SMARTPHONE APPLICATION, which are both incorporatedherein by reference. These applications are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention generally relate to digital cameras,digital picture frames, and mirrors.

BACKGROUND

Optical mirrors are common household items that are used to adjust orverify the user's appearance and features. With optical mirrors, areflective material is typically encapsulated with glass that provides areflection or a reverse image of the actual user. While optical mirrorsare extremely useful in providing information that cannot be vieweddirectly, aberrations may occur in the medium used to reflect theinformation. Moreover, optical mirrors provide a transposed image to theuser. Objects shown in an optical mirror are horizontally flipped (e.g.,from left to right and vice versa).

Users may also be hampered with the fixed state of the optical mirrorand unable to easily view objects at different angles. For example,several mirrors may be required to view the back of ones' head. Otherexamples of difficulty with an optical mirror are more attributed to thethree-dimensional aspect of an object being viewed on a two-dimensionalsurface of the mirror. In many cases, multiple mirrors are used to viewthe topology of the object.

Proper lighting of an object that is to be viewed in an optical mirrormay be challenging. The ability to light an object such that itsmirrored image provides a view of a desired feature may be hampered byshadows or require multiple light sources in order to provide a clearview of the object feature.

Optical mirrors are used for many purposes such as medical devices,personal/vanity use, and automotive applications. While optical mirrorsare simple to construct, if improperly constructed, the image theyreflect may be misleading. Some optical properties of an optical mirrorcan be manipulated for additional useful effects. However, the opticalproperties are typically fixed in an optical mirror in the sense thatthey cannot be modified or changed once created. Any defect, whetherintentional or not, once cast in glass cannot be easily changed.

Other optical aberrations may include distortions from the quality ofthe glass and the reflective material deployed. The material propertiesof these components become critical for determining depth of focus andminimizing distortion from elements such as elongation. An example ofthese can be seen at a carnival show where mirrors are deployed todistort the user's appearance in an effort to provoke laughter in theunusual shapes reflected or mirrored back to the user.

Optical aberrations can be found in optical side view mirrors utilizedon automobiles to provide additional views of surrounding traffic.Typically, the automobile manufacturers provide a warning label such as“Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear” in order to educatethe user on the hazards of convex properties that have beenintentionally instilled into a side view mirror to provide a wide-angleview. Convex and concave properties are perspective distortions inoptical mirrors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method provides a display device. The method senses thepresence of the user or scene change within the field of view of thesystem's image sensor with a built-in image signal processor. The methodautomatically and concurrently powers on the image sensor. The methodlights one or more lights around the display device in response to sensethe presence of the user or scene change.

The method captures one or more frames of images of a user or scenechange with the image sensor. Each frame includes an M by N array ofpixel data. The M by N array of pixel data comprises a data structureconsisting of a collection of pixel elements enumerated as pixel P₁₁ topixel P_(m1). The method stores the M by N array of pixel data as aframe of data written into a frame buffer memory of the display device.

The method organizes the M by N array of pixel data in the frame bufferby writing pixel P₁₁ to pixel P_(m1) from left to right. The methodprovides an image signal processor that displays the M by N array ofpixel data in a true view mode and a mirror view mode.

The method receives a freeze image command input from a user. The methodfreezes the displayed the M by N array of pixel data by continuousreloading the M by N array of pixel data that was displayed at the timethe freeze image command input was received.

In the true view mode, the image processor reads out the frame of datafrom left to right, from a pixel P₁₁ to a pixel P_(m1) and instructs theframe of data to be displayed on the display device with pixel P₁₁displayed in the upper left corner, with pixel P_(m1) displayed in theupper right corner, with pixel P_(1n) displayed in the lower leftcorner, and pixel P_(mn) displayed in the lower right corner.

In the mirror view mode, the image processor reads out the frame of databy reversing an addressing of memory locations into the frame buffermemory such that the arrangement of the pixel data in the rows andcolumns is read out of the memory locations in a reverse order of thetrue view mode. The method displays one or more captured frames ofimages in a true view mode or a mirror view mode on the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a wall mountable digitalmirror in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirror inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view of a digital mirror.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a portable digital mirror inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front closed view of the portable digital mirrorin FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates an open side view of the portable digital mirrorshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D illustrates a visor digital mirror in an open position attachedto a sun visor of an automobile.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorwith a movable camera.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorwith a fixed center camera and left and right-side moveable cameras.

FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a stand-able digital mirrorsystem including a detachable camera.

FIG. 3D illustrates a magnified view of a portion of the detachablecamera illustrated in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E illustrates a digital mirror having a camera mounted over thedisplay device to minimize parallax.

FIG. 3F illustrates a cross-section of a portion of the digital mirrorillustrated in FIG. 3E.

FIGS. 4A-4B respectively illustrate the user-selectability between thetrue view mode and the mirror view mode with the user interface of eachdigital mirror.

FIG. 5A illustrates a representation of an array of pixel data stored ina frame buffer memory and displayed on a display device of a digitalmirror as true view images in a true view mode.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the pixel data stored in a frame buffer, such asshown by FIG. 5A, is read out and displayed on a display device of adigital mirror to provide a mirror view image in a mirror view mode.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram of electroniccircuit modules in an image processing and control system provided in afirst digital mirror system.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary functional block diagram of electroniccircuit modules provided in an image processing and control systemprovided in a second digital mirror system that has a detachable camera.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example process provided herein, according to someembodiments.

The Figures described above are a representative set and are notexhaustive with respect to embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are a system, method, and article for implementing a userselectable digital mirror. The following description is presented toenable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the variousembodiments. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, andapplications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to theexamples described herein can be readily apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may beapplied to other examples and applications without departing from thespirit and scope of the various embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment,’ ‘anembodiment,’ one example,' or similar language means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases ‘in one embodiment,’ ‘in anembodiment,’ and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided, such as examples of programming, software modules, userselections, network transactions, database queries, database structures,hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled inthe relevant art can recognize, however, that the invention may bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally setforth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order andlabeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method.Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent infunction, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, ofthe illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employedare provided to explain the logical steps of the method and areunderstood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrowtypes and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, andthey are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method.Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only thelogical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumeratedsteps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which aparticular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order ofthe corresponding steps shown.

Definitions

Example definitions for some embodiments are now provided.

Application programming interface (API) can be a computing interfacethat defines interactions between multiple software intermediaries. AnAPI can define the types of calls and/or requests that can be made, howto make them, the data formats that should be used, the conventions tofollow, etc. An API can also provide extension mechanisms so that userscan extend existing functionality in various ways and to varyingdegrees.

Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memorythat requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains itscontents while powered on but when the power is interrupted, the storeddata can be lost.

Example Systems and Methods

Typical optical mirrors composed of a reflective material andpotentially, encapsulated in glass, have characteristics that may notsatisfy a user's requirements. A digital mirror has the ability toimprove the user's experience in providing extended views of the user'sfeatures. The digital mirror also has the ability to enhance displayedimages through the using imaging electronic components and software.Additionally, the combination of a plurality of lighting sources withselectable intensity, a plurality of camera choices and mountingapplications may also enhance the user's experience.

There are a number of different applications for a digital mirror. Forexample, a wall mount digital mirror may be formed of different sizesdepending on the user's discretion and interior design preferences. Alarge digital mirror may be desired for a user to view multiple views. Asmaller digital mirror may be desired for smaller spaces and may offer asingle view at a time for a quick view or reassurance.

The enclosure may also be integral in how the digital mirror may beconfigured to be compatible with the user's environment. The ability fora digital mirror to either be a focal point for the user's environmentor an accessory to the user's environment may determine the style of theenclosure and thus the display size, lighting, number, and size ofcamera as well as the resolution and focus of the camera sensor.

A self-supported digital mirror (DM) may be used as a vanity mirror. Itmay include means for capturing side views for left, right and centerviewing. The angle of the display of the digital mirror may be adjustedby a stand. A user interface further enables the user to selectlighting, images to be viewed, and mirrored images (transposed from leftto right) or true view images (e.g. non transposed).

In other embodiments of the invention, multiple cameras may extend tothe left and right of the user to capture left, right, and side imagesfor displaying on a single center display. The additional cameras can bemoved to capture or whatever angles the user desires to view. The usersimply may select the desired view through a menu of a graphics userinterface or buttons of an electromechanical user interface. Multipleimages of different views may be concurrently displayed in a mosaicarrangement on a display. This is different with an optical mirror. Theenclosure houses together one or more of the lighting capabilities andarrangements, the camera views, and the display device software executedby a process may further enhance the display of images on a digitalmirror.

The ability to alter digital images is a common technique used indigital photography. Software may be interactive with the elementalcomponents such that lighting can be automatically dimmed or madebrighter depending on the user's preference settings, such as an autobrightness feature. The enclosure may house one or more lighting sourcessuch as incandescent lights, florescent lights, compact florescentlights, or LED (light emitting diode) devices, may be used singularly orin any combination in order to facilitate the user's desired lighting.Light sources have well defined characteristics such as incandescentlights sources may be seen as having a yellow tint whereas florescentlights may be seen to have a bluish tint. Lighting to displayappropriate shades of images provided by the digital mirror may also beresponsive to the user's movement and ambient lighting conditions giventhe time of day.

In another embodiment of the invention a portable, battery poweredcompact digital mirror would be beneficial for travel or where ACpowered accessories are not easily supported. In this case the camera,the lighting sources, and display device technology are selected tosupport battery-powered operation.

Sensors may be used to prevent excessive battery-power drain andincrease viewing time by adjusting the lighting intensity in response tothe reflective light and ambient light. The cameras of each digitalmirror may act as the light sensor for each. Sensors may adjust lightingintensity and color depending on the users preferred settings for aparticular ambient environment. For example, a compact version of thedigital mirror may be used in a dark setting. In this case a sensorsetting may be used to prevent a bright display that may be distracting.

The digital mirror also provides the ability to view a truenon-transposed image of a user. Typical optical mirrors provide atransposed or mirrored image to the viewer such that the left side of anobject/user is transposed to the right side of the image and the rightside of an object/user is transposed to the left side of the image. Adigital mirror can display either view depending on the user's selectionthrough a GUI or an electromechanical user interface. Digital images canalso be enhanced through software to change the user's appearance, suchas remove wrinkles or age spots or any other variety of commonlyundesired user appearance features. Digital imaging software may alsomanipulate the user's image to add features to the user's image.

In another embodiment of the invention, the camera may be detachable orseparate from the display. The camera may communicate wirelessly througha common wireless protocol, such as IEEE 802.11. The ability toeliminate wires between the camera and display provides additionalflexibility in locating the camera. For example, a detachable camera maybe positioned behind the user's head. Additionally, left, and right sidewired/wireless cameras may be used to communicate with the display baseto produce a plurality of images for the user to select from. Eachcamera may have its own lighting sources within its enclosure. Eachcamera may also provide a light sensor capability to sense the ambientlight, the reflected light, and auto focus the camera's lenses, if any,in order to produce the user's desired displayed views.

The digital mirror may also be used to store or archive pictures forfuture comparisons. The user may also select a number of stored imagesin the digital mirror to be shown in a continuous manner similar to aslide show. The growth or development of a user may be displayed bycapturing facial changes over the years. The captured image frames maybe correlated a displayed as a movie or video. The camera may be used totake individual pictures, single image frame, or record video (aplurality of image frames over a time period) depending on the amount ofstorage available. Subsequently, the user may elect to show pictures forthe purpose of decor, such as a digital picture frame.

A wireless interface allows a user to store pictures and or movies on aremote computer system and transmit them to the digital mirror in theform of a stream file. The digital mirror may also send pictures back tothe remote computer system for archival and or further editing ormanipulation.

A built-in image signal processor allows the captured images on thedigital mirror to be manipulated. This allows the user to enhance theircharacteristics, such as to reduce wrinkles or remove skin blemishes forexample. Selective control of the lighting intensity can also improvethe image quality captured by the digital mirror.

Example Digital Mirror System

A digital mirror is an apparatus that captures and displays an image toa user through the use of a digital electronic system. The digitalmirror includes an image capture device and a display device on the sameside to display the captured image to a user. A digital mirror furtherincludes a user interface and an internal electronic control and imageprocessing system to control the camera and the display device andprocess captured images for display on the display device.

A digital mirror has a number of advantages over an optical mirror. Adigital mirror provides a user with an improved mirror viewingexperience compared to a conventional reflective optical mirror throughthe capabilities of digital imaging. A traditional optical mirror islimited by the ambient environment such as physical location, lighting,and viewing angle of the user. A poorly lit environment cansignificantly influence the image seen by a user. The user is alsolimited by their own vision being able to see only in a direct line ofsight. A traditional optical mirror is limited in that it can onlydisplay to the user a mirrored or reflected image. A digital mirror canovercome one or more of these limitations.

The influence of asymmetry in humans plays a large role in how we viewourselves and how the rest of the world views us. A digital mirror hasan ability to show the user a true-life image of how others see them,rather than a mirrored image. In one embodiment of the invention, afreeze frame capture or video replay in a true view mode is provided sothat users may study themselves without having to remain fixed in oneposition.

A digital mirror enables the captured image input to be separated fromthe displayed output. Because the image capture device (e.g., a camera)and the display device are separate devices, the image capture devicemay be positioned so that the user's desired view may be displayedwithout changing the user's position. Furthermore, users are not limitedto direct line of sight viewing or using multiple mirrors in order toview themselves from different perspectives. The camera or image capturedevice may include lighting proximately mounted to illuminate thesubject. In order to secure the position of the camera without the userholding it, the camera may include a clamp or stand coupled to aflexible arm or an articulating arm.

The digital mirror includes an image processor that allows themanipulation of captured images for display on the display device. Thedigital mirror may include a digital zoom to zoom in and zoom out of thecaptured image. The image processor can further adjust the imagedisplayed by compensating for poor lighting, modifying the imagedisplayed so that a user can make themselves look better or morerealistic, or perform any number of digital modifications that arepossible in the digital imaging field with an image processor.

The digital mirror may provide substantially all the lighting a userneeds to capture images. There is no need to adjust the environment to adigital mirror. The digital mirror can adapt to the user's environment.The digital mirror, along with a detachable camera if so equipped,includes or more light sources to illuminate the user within expecteddistances of use. Exposure and gain of the image capture device can beadjusted to improve image capture and or video displayed to the user.

The digital mirror can store captured images to separate them from theimage being displayed by the display device. A user can selectivelyfreeze an image or replay a stored image to see themselves as they werein the past. Users no longer need to hold a position or expression,perform a motion over and over, or hold their eyes open to seethemselves as the digital mirror can capture images for later displaywhen a user's eyes are closed.

A digital camera, also referred to as an image capture device, mayprovide enhanced optics to capture images otherwise not seen by unaidedeyes. The image capture device may include an optical lens or acombination of optical lenses with various properties such as: atelephoto lens for a closer view, a wide-angle lens to allow a widerview, or an optical zoom lens to provide both. Utilizing a telephotolens, an optical zoom view is possible without users having to readjusttheir face closer to the digital mirror. The optical zoom lens mayoptically zoom in and out on the user to select a frame of for capturedimages for display on the display device of the digital mirror.

A wide-angle lens provides a wide view that can be displayed without theuser moving away from the device. The camera may include an auto-focussystem to provide sharpness and or resolution, regardless of where theuser is positioned relative to the device.

The digital mirror is not limited to only one perspective view. Multiplecameras of a digital mirror can concurrently capture and display morethan one perspective view to the user. The additional captured views canprovide a more complete view of the user and or their surroundings.Alternative, additional captured views may be used to provide aside-by-side perspective comparison. The digital camera can displayimages side-by-side, picture in picture, or in a mosaic on the samedisplay or on separate displays. With an optical mirror, the userpreviously had to move the mirror or position their own body in order tosee a desired viewing angle. With multiple cameras a user can capturedifferent perfect views all at once.

A digital mirror can displace optical mirrors as a decoration in a homeor office environment. Because the digital mirror provides its ownillumination, it has the ability to capture and display an image, evenin poor lighting conditions. The digital mirror can be used in poorlylit rooms within the home, a visor mirror in automobiles at night, or ina plurality of environments in its portable compact version.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a first digital mirror 100A is illustratedthat is wall mountable. The digital mirror 100A includes an enclosure101 with at least one mounting device, a hole 180 or hooks 182A-182B inits backside, so that the digital mirror can be mounted to a wall 189.The digital mirror 100A further includes one or more selective lightsources 102, an image capture device 104 (also referred to as a camera),a display device 106, a light diffuser 112, a user interface 115, and animage processing and control system (see the control systems 600A-600Billustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B) mounted in or to the enclosure 101.

The digital mirror 100A may further include an alternating current (AC)power cord 108 to receive power from an AC power source. The alternatingcurrent (AC) power is provided for the lights, camera, and imagingelectronics through the AC power cord 108.

The image capture device 104 may be an OMNIVISION™ OV3642three-megapixel CAMERACHIP™ sensor with a fixed focal length lens in oneembodiment of the invention, for example. In this case, a digital zoommay be used to zoom in and/or zoom out on a portion of an image.Alternatively, a camera module with an optical zoom may be used thatmechanically moves lenses in a linear manner back and forth, such ascommonly found in point and shoot digital cameras, or a camera modulewith a more compact zoom may be used.

The display device 106 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device oran organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device. The displaydevice 106 provides the viewing medium for the user to observe one ormore desired images captured by the camera 104. Surrounding the displaydevice 106 is the selective light sources 102 that may be one or more oflight emitting diodes (LED), incandescent, florescent, or anycombination of light source that can provide light and illuminate auser. The lighting provided by the light sources 102 of the digitalmirror may be responsive to the environment (e.g., ambient lighting) andone or more user preferred settings (e.g., automatic light sensing,manual light control) that are stored and provided to the digital imageprocessing control electronics.

The light diffuser 112 is mounted to the enclosure to cover over thelight sources 102. The light diffuser 112 diffuses or scatters the lightgenerated by the light sources 102 in order to produce a softer lightfor the object or user in the target viewing area. The light diffuser112 minimizes glare and other lighting aberrations that may tend to washout or distort images captured by the image capture device 104 (alsoreferred to as a camera). The light diffuser 112 may be shaped similarto the enclosure 101 and has an opening 113 to be mounted around theshape of the display device 106. In one embodiment of the invention, theenclosure and the display device are rectangular in shape such that thelight diffuser 112 has a frame shape with a rectangular opening 113 (seeFIG. 1C). In another embodiment of the invention, the enclosure anddisplay device are oval shaped such that the light diffuser 112 also hasan oval frame shape with an oval opening. The light diffuser 112 mayinclude an opening around the camera to allow the capture of images inthe field of view of the front side of the digital mirror.

In FIG. 1A, the camera 104 can be located just above the display device106 near a notched-out area of the selective lighting 102 and lightdiffuser 112. To minimize parallax and ensure the user can obtain thedesired angle of view, the camera 104 is mounted as close as possible tothe display device or under/over the display device. For example, thecamera 104 may be centered within the display device 106 in order tominimize parallax. The camera 104 may also be mounted over/under displaydevice 106. Digital imaging software may be used to compensate for thepixels in the display device 106 that are covered or interrupted by thecamera. The number of pixels covered by the camera may be determinedfrom the size of the camera and depth of field required for the digitalmirror 100A.

The digital mirror 100A further includes a touchscreen user interface(UI) 115 mounted over the display device 106. The touchscreen UI 115provides the user the ability to select the preferred image from a userinterface menu. The touchscreen UI 115 may use capacitive sensing,surface acoustic wave (SAW), or resistive touchscreen technology. Theuser interface 115 may include a view mode button 115A, a zoom in button115B to magnify a portion of the image, a menu selector button 115C, azoom out button 115D to demagnify a portion of the image, and a lightsource dimmer/brightness button 115E to manually adjust the lightintensity. The view mode button 115A allows a user to select between atrue view mode or a mirror view mode and the display of images as eithertrue view images or mirrored images, respectively. The menu selectorbutton 115C initiates a menu to be displayed on the display device 106from which a user can select different control functions, such as cameracontrol functions, display control functions, lighting controlfunctions, and power control functions. A user may pan the image throughthe touch screen user interface as well. A power on/off switch/buttonmay be included as part of the interface. Alternatively, a sensor may beused to automatically power on and off the digital mirror. While theuser interface 115 may be a touchscreen UI as described, other types ofuser interfaces may be used with a digital mirror such as a gesturerecognition user interface, a voice recognition user interface (e.g.,microphone, voice recognizer/decoder, speaker to question/acknowledge),an electro-mechanical user interface (e.g., buttons, switches, etc.), ora graphical user interface with a pointer, such as a mouse or stylus.

The enclosure 101 provides a housing for the components of the digitalmirror. The shape and form factor of the enclosure 101 may set some ofthe shapes of the components and some of the characteristics of thedigital mirror 100A. For example, the shape of the enclosure 101 may berectangular and the shape of the display device 106 may be rectangularas well. The shape and form factor of the enclosure may influence themounting positions of other elements as well, such as the positioning ofthe selective lighting 102.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a second digital mirror 100B is illustratedthat stands up and is self-supported upon a vanity or desktop surface.The digital mirror 100B receives AC power for the lighting, the digitalimaging electronics, and the display through the AC power cord 108. Thedigital mirror 100B includes an enclosure 101 that has a pivotal stand120. The pivotal stand 120 stands the digital mirror up upon a surface.The pivotal stand 120 can pivot to adjust its angle with the enclosureto provide flexibility in adjusting the angle and height of the mirrorto the user's position. The display device 106 is mounted in theenclosure 101. The display device 106 may be an LCD display, a plasmadisplay, an OLED display, or any other type of image display medium.

The camera 104 is located near the top and in front of the display tominimize parallax. The digital mirror 100B includes light diffuser 112to scatter the light from the device light source 102 surrounding thedisplay device 106. The enclosure 101 houses the display device 106.

The user interface 115 provides the user the ability to select a desiredview. The user interface 115 may be an electromechanical user interfaceand include a view mode button 115A, a zoom in button 115B, a menuselector button 115C, a zoom out button 115D, and a light sourcedimmer/brightness button 115E. The view mode button 115A selects betweentrue view mode and mirror view mode to display images as a true viewimage or a mirror view image, respectively. The menu selector button115C initiates a menu to be displayed on the display device 106 fromwhich a user can select different control functions, such as cameracontrol functions, display control functions, lighting controlfunctions, and power control functions. The menu also allows a user toselect and save user preferred settings, such as for lighting, viewsetc.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, an exploded view of a digital mirror is shownincluding an enclosure 101 with a pivotal stand 120, an electronicscontroller board 175 that has circuits and components mounted on aprinted circuit board (PCB), one or more light sources 102 to providelighting, the user interface 115 buttons that control the image displayand user menu, a device display 106, and a light diffuser 112 withopening 113. The electronics controller board 175 is mounted in theenclosure under the display device 106. One or more of the componentsand circuits of the imaging control systems shown in FIGS. 6A-6B anddescribed herein may be mounted on the electronics controller board 175.

The display device 106 is an LCD display with LCD backlighting 116. Theimage capture device 104 is shown separate from the enclosure. Thedisplay device 106 and camera or image capture device 104 are connectedto the electronics board 175 via ribbon cable. Covering the enclosure isthe light diffuser 112 with an opening 113. The light diffuser 112 ismounted over light source 102. The user interface bezel 125 includesicons that mount over and protect the user interface buttons 115.

The lighting sources 120 for the digital mirror are preferably aplurality of light emitting diodes due to their low powercharacteristics and ease in adjusting brightness or the light intensity.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a compact portable digital mirror 200A isillustrated. The compact portable digital mirror 200A is powered by adirect current (DC) power source provided by one or more batteries 208mounted in a second enclosure half 101B of the enclosure 101. Theenclosure 101 includes a first enclosure half 101 and the secondenclosure half 101B pivotally coupled together by a hinge 210 like aclamshell.

The compact portable digital mirror 200A further includes the enclosure101, a display device 106 mounted in the first enclosure half 101A, oneor more light sources mounted in the first enclosure half 101A aroundthe display device; a camera 140 (also referred to as an image capturedevice) mounted in the first enclosure half adjacent the display device106; and a user interface 115 mounted in the enclosure. In oneembodiment of the invention, the display device 106 is a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD device and the one or more light sources are light emittingdiodes (LEDs).

The camera 104 is located near the top of the first enclosure half 101Ato be in the field of view of a user looking into the display device.The enclosure 101 includes a hinge 210 coupled to the upper and lowerhalf of the enclosure to allow it to pivot open and closed. The firstenclosure half 101A includes a catch 221 and the second enclosure half101B includes a latch 220 to receive the catch 221. When engaged, thelatch and catch releasably keep the two enclosure halves 101A-101Bpivotally coupled together when the digital mirror is not in use.

The user interface 115 for the portable digital mirror 200A may be asingle electro-mechanical button that is responsive to the number oftimes the button is toggled. For example, depressing the button in rapidsuccession three times may execute a change in the rotation of the viewangle. Alternatively, holding the button down may increase the LEDlighting 102 brightness to a peak illumination and then start todecrease the brightness. Once the desired level of brightness isachieved, the user can let go of the button.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a front view of the compact portable digitalmirror 200A is shown in a closed position. The latch 220 and catch 221are releasably engaged to keep the two enclosure halves 101A-101B closedtogether.

FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the compact portable digital mirror200A in an open position. FIG. 2C better shows the hinge 210 coupledbetween the enclosure halves 101A-101B.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, a visor digital mirror 200D is shown coupledto an automotive sun visor 250. The visor digital mirror 200D mayinclude enclosure halves 101A-101B that flip open and closed like thoseof the digital mirror 200A or alternatively, a slidable cover thatslides open and closed over the display device in the enclosure half101A. In either case, the second enclosure half is moveably (e.g.,pivotally or slidingly) coupled to the first enclosure half. Theenclosure half 101A is mounted to the sun visor 250 and rests thereonwhen folded up away into the ceiling of the car.

When enclosure half 101B is flipped open to reveal the display device106, a switch may automatically power on the digital mirror. Whenflipped closed to cover over the display device 106 to protect it fromdirt and whatever else, the switch may power off the digital mirror. Theslidable cover may slide open to reveal the display device 106 and poweron the digital mirror and slide closed to cover over the display device106 and power off the digital mirror. The digital mirror 200D is poweredthrough a wire cable 218 connected to the automobiles direct currentpower supply having a nominal twelve (12) volts DC.

The digital mirror includes the display device 106 mounted in the firstenclosure half 101A, a camera (also referred to as an image capturedevice) 104 mounted in the first enclosure half 101A, one or more lightsources 102 mounted in the enclosure half 101A on the left and rightsides of the display device 106, and the user interface 115 mounted inthe first enclosure half 101A. The second enclosure half 101B protectsthe digital mirror 200D when not in use. The second enclosure half 101Ahouses the components of the digital mirror 200D and provides a means tomount it to the sun visor 250D.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a digital mirror 300A is now illustratedcapturing an image of a user 399 that is displayed on the display device106. The digital mirror 300A is a rechargeable, self standing digitalmirror including a pivotal stand 306 and rechargeable batteries 308. Thepivotal stand 306 is pivotally coupled to a back side of the enclosure101 to support the digital mirror on surface.

The digital mirror 300A further includes a detachable camera 104 that iscoupled to the enclosure 101 by an articulating arm 310. The camera 104is mounted at the distal end of the arm 310. The proximal end of the arm310 is coupled to the enclosure 101. One or more lights 102 that may bemounted adjacent the camera 104 to provide lighting in front of thedigital camera 104 to facilitate the capture of images, such as shown byFIG. 3D. A camera cable 330 may couple the camera 104 to the underlyingimage processing system (see FIG. 6A) to provide power and controlsignals and receive pixel data for each image frame captured.Alternatively, wireless transmitter/receivers may be used to send thecaptured images to the underlying image processing system (see FIG. 6B)mounted in the enclosure 101.

The pivotal stand 306 may be pivoted to a different angle in order toadjust the viewing angle and capture desired images for display on thedisplay device. Furthermore, the articulating arm 310 provides aplurality of degrees of freedom to allow the user 399 to position thecamera 304 mounted thereto at various positions to capture desiredimages for display on the display device. The articulating arm 310includes a plurality of links 313A, 313B, and 313C coupled together by aplurality of joints 312A, 312B, and 312C. The links in combination withthe joints provides a very flexible arm that enables the user toposition the camera in a plurality of viewing angles. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the articulating arm may be a flexible armwith a plurality of joints coupled together so that it can flex intodifferent positions.

The digital mirror 300A includes an enclosure 101 with a recess 301 thatreceives the detachable camera 104. The detachable camera 104 can bepositioned within the recess 301 to capture images at a fixed positionadjacent the display device 106 or to stow away the camera for storageof the mirror 300A.

The digital mirror 300A further includes the one or more light sources102, the display device 106, the rechargeable batteries 308, and theuser interface 115 mounted in, coupled to, and/or operational within theenclosure 101. A description of various types of light sources 102,display devices 106, and user interfaces 115 that may be used aredescribed elsewhere and incorporated herein by reference.

The power supply (see the power supply block 618 in FIGS. 6A-6B) of thedigital mirror may include a battery charger to recharge therechargeable batteries 308. The battery charger receives alternatingcurrent (AC) power through the AC power cord/plug 108 when coupled to anAC power outlet. The AC power source may also be used to power theelectrical components in the digital mirror while the rechargeablebatteries are being charged or if the rechargeable batteries aremissing.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a digital mirror 300B is illustrated thatincludes a plurality of cameras—a left camera 104L, a center camera140C, and a right camera 104R. The digital mirror 300B isself-supporting including an optional stand 120 and/or means to be wallmounted (e.g. hole 180 or hooks 182A-182B shown in FIG. 1A) so that itcan capture images hands-free, without the user having to hold anycamera. One or more lights 102 may be mounted adjacent each of the leftcamera 104L and the right camera 104R, such as shown by FIG. 3D, toprovide lighting in front of each and facilitate the capture of images.One or more lights 102 may also be mounted around the display device 106to provide lighting in front of the display device to facilitate thecapture of images.

The digital mirror 300B includes additional cameras so that the user canconcurrently capture and then display images of different views fromvarious fields of view. For example, the left camera 104L may capture aleft side view of a user, the center camera 140C may capture a frontside view of the user, and the right camera 104R may capture aright-side view of the user concurrently. The digital mirror 300B canalso concurrently display left side images 316L captured by the leftcamera 104L, front side images 316C captured by the center camera 140C,and right-side images 316R captured by the right camera 104R in a mosaicarrangement on the display device 106, in response to a selection by theuser with the user interface 115. The digital mirror 300B can alsodisplay these images separately on the display device 106 in response toa selection by the user through the user interface 115. The left sideimages 316L, the front side images 316C, and the right-side images 316Rdisplayed in the mosaic arrangement may all be live images continuouslycaptured by the cameras and displayed on the display device 106.Alternatively, one or more of the left side images 316L, the front sideimages 316C, and the right-side images 316R displayed in the mosaicarrangement may be stored images previously captured by the cameras andread out from a storage device. For example, the front side images 316Cmay be live images while the left side images 316L and the right-sideimages 316R may be stored images read out from the storage device anddisplayed on the display device.

The center camera 104C is mounted to the enclosure 101 adjacent thedisplay device 106 to reduce parallax. The center camera 104C captures afrontal view of the user or alternatively, a back view of the user ifthe user rotates himself/herself around so his back faces the centercamera. For example, the user shown in FIG. 3B facing the camera 104Cand the display 106 could turn around so that the back of their head isfacing the camera 104C. After capturing and storing a few frames ofimages of the back of their head, the user can turn back around andselect with the user interface 115 to recall the captured images of theback of their head for display on the display device 106. Similarly,frames of left and right-side images may be captured with the left andright cameras 1041,104R respectively and stored in a storage device(e.g., see storage device 644 in FIGS. 6A-6B) of the digital mirror. Theuser can then select through the user interface 115 to recall thecaptured images of the one more sides of their head for separate orconcurrent display on the display device 106 to provide a more completeview of them selves.

The left camera 104L and the right camera 104R are respectively mountedto the distal ends of a left articulating arm 310L and a rightarticulating arm 310R, respectively. The proximal ends of the leftarticulating arm 310L and the right articulating arm 310R are coupled tothe left and right of the enclosure 101, respectively. The left camera104L and the right camera 104R are electrically coupled to the imageprocessing system (See FIGS. 6A-6B) by cables 330 extending through thearms 310L,310R. The cables 330 may be electrical wire cables or opticalfiber cables to couple the cameras 104L,104R and image processor systemelectronics together. In an alternate embodiment, the cameras 104L,104Rmay be wireless cameras and communicate with a wireless digital mirrorbase with a wireless communication protocol as described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, a wireless digital mirror 300C is illustrated.The wireless digital mirror 300C has a wireless digital mirror base 321and the wireless detachable camera 304. The wireless digital camera 304may be tethered to the wireless digital mirror base 321 through awireless protocol such as the common I.E.E.E. 802.11 industry standard.This allows the detachable camera to be placed anywhere without beingcoupled to the enclosure 101 by an arm. However, the camera 304 mayconnect to a flexible arm 320 with a stand or clamp 352 to couple to andsupport the camera above a surface. A user can position the camera 304when supported by the clamp/stand 352 for a desired viewing angle.

The wireless digital mirror base 321 may communicate wirelessly with aremote computer system to upload captured images through a similarwireless protocol. Pictures and/or video may be transmitted to/orreceived from the remote computer system by the wireless digital mirrorbase 321. The wireless digital mirror base 321 may then be used as apicture frame so that pictures and or video may be displayed at theuser's discretion. The digital mirror may serve a dual purpose; one forviewing oneself, one of a digital picture frame, and one for savedpictures.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, a magnified view of the wireless digitalcamera 304 is illustrated. The wireless digital camera 104 includes, animage capture device or camera, one or more adjacent light sources 102,a wireless transmitter 340, and one or more batteries 345 mounted in ahousing or enclosure 351. The one or more lights 102 that are mountedadjacent the camera provide lighting in front of the wireless digitalcamera 104 to facilitate the capture of images. The wireless digitalcamera 304 is mounted to a flexible arm 320 to flexibly move theposition of the camera. The wireless transmitter 340 may include anon/off switch 362 to selectively power on/off the battery 345 powerdrain when not in use. Alternatively, the wireless transmitter may havea sleep mode that sleeps the digital camera 304 until activated uponreceipt of a signal to turn on from the wireless digital mirror base321. While the camera 304 has been described as being a wireless digitalcamera, it may instead be tethered to and in communication with thedigital mirror base 321 by a wire cable including a plurality of wires.

Referring now to FIGS. 3E-3F, a digital mirror 300E is shown. Thedigital mirror 300E includes a digital camera 104 mounted over thedisplay device 106 to reduce parallax. The enclosure 101 may include aprotrusion or arm 311 to support the camera 104 over the display device106. The mounting of the camera 104 over the display device can be seenmore clearly in the magnified side view shown in FIG. 3F.

In FIG. 3F, the camera 104 is mounted to the protrusion 311. Theprotrusion 311 is molded as part of the enclosure 101 to support thecamera 104 over the display device 106. Portions of the display device106 and the light diffuser 112 are shown in FIG. 3F to illustrate therelative positioning of the elements in the digital mirror 300E.

The digital camera 104 can also be mounted under the display device 106to reduce parallax. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/338,106 filedon Feb. 16, 2010 by John W. Rowles, et al., entitled TECHNIQUES FORIMAGE CAPTURE THROUGH LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS, describes how to mount acamera under a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and capture images.The digital camera may be mounted between an LCD pixel panel and abacklighting panel. Alternatively, the camera may replace a few pixelsand be interspersed between pixels of the LCD pixel panel. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the digital camera 104 can also be mountedunder an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device 106 toreduce parallax. Alternatively, the digital camera 104 may replace a fewpixels and be interspersed between pixels of the organic light emittingdiodes.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, in response to true view mode being selectedthrough the view mode selector 115A of the user interface, a true viewimage 406T is displayed by the display device 106 of the digital mirror100B. A conventional optical mirror does not display the true view image406T if a user stands in front of the optical mirror. The letter B onthe necklace in the true view image 406T has a proper orientation.

FIG. 4B illustrates a mirrored image 406M being displayed in response tothe mirror view mode being selected by the user interface view modeselector 115A. A conventional optical mirror may display an imagesimilar to the mirrored image 406M.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a representation of a single frame of pixeldata configured into columns and rows is illustrated. A frame of pixeldata is captured by the image capture device 104 and stored in digitalformat into the memory locations of a frame buffer memory. A frame ofdata may write into the frame buffer memory and organized as illustratedin FIG. 5A, such as by writing from left to right (pixel P11 to pixelPm1). In response to user selections (e.g., true view mode or mirrorview mode), the pixel data stored in the frame buffer memory can bereadily processed by an image signal processor as desired.

In a true view mode, the frame of data may be read out similarly (e.g.,from left to right-pixel P11 to pixel Pm1) and displayed on the displaydevice as shown in FIG. 5A. Pixel P11 is displayed in the upper leftcorner, pixel Pm1 is displayed in the upper right corner, pixel P1n isdisplayed in the lower left corner, and pixel Pmn is displayed in thelower right corner. In this manner, the pixel data is displayed on thedisplay device of the digital mirror as it was captured by the imagecapture device. The true view mode displays true view images to the useras how third persons see the user, such as shown in FIG. 4A.

In a mirror view mode, the frame of pixel data saved into the framebuffer memory is read out differently from how it was written byreversing the addressing of memory locations into the frame buffermemory. The arrangement of the pixel data in the rows and columns isread out of the memory locations in a reverse order (e.g., from right toleft—Pm1 to P11) to transpose or horizontally flip the captured imageinto a horizontally mirrored image.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the mirrored image is displayed on the displaydevice 106 of the digital mirror in response to the mirror view mode.For example, pixel Pm1 is now displayed in the upper left corner of thedisplay device, pixel P11 is displayed in the upper right corner of thedisplay device, pixel Pmn is displayed in the lower left corner, andpixel P1n is displayed in the lower right corner. The mirror view modedisplays mirror view images to the user similar to how an optical mirrordoes, such as shown in FIG. 4B.

Image Processing and Control Systems for Digital Mirrors

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a first block diagram an image processing andcontrol system 600A for the digital mirrors is shown. FIG. 6Aillustrates a user 699 in front of the camera module 104 to have his/herimage captured and displayed by the display device 106 after thecaptured images have undergone further processing by the imageprocessing and control system 600A. The block diagram shown in FIG. 6Aillustrate basic data flow in the system by arrows illustrated betweenthe blocks. The image processing and control system 600A includes one ormore of the user interface 115, the lighting sources 102 coupled to alighting controller 614, an image signal processor 610 coupled to thecamera module 104, the display controller 614 coupled to the displaydevice 106, a storage device 644, a power supply 618, and a primarycentral processing unit (CPU) 612 coupled together as shown.

Some sort of power supply 618 couples to each active device to supplypower. The different types of power supplies 618 that may be usedinclude rechargeable batteries, automobile DC power, AC power grid, or asolar panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the power supply 618includes an auto sensing mechanism to automatically shut off powerand/or enter a low power sleep mode after a predetermined period ofinactivity and to automatically power on the digital mirror supplyingpower to the components in response to sensing the presence of a user.

The primary CPU 612 controls substantially all of the functions and subfunctions of a digital mirror. The primary CPU 612 may include a framebuffer memory 632 to store one or more frames of pixel data representingan image. The stored data in the frame buffer memory may be ready to orundergoing image processing performed by the primary CPU.

A removable storage device 644 having an edge connector 642 may becoupled to the CPU 612 by means of a socket connector 643. The framebuffer 632 may read image pixel data out from or write image pixel datainto the removable storage device 644. In another embodiment of theinvention, the removeable storage device may be a fixed storage deviceto provide additional data storage capacity for the system. Regardless,the storage device 644 may be one or more of different types of computerreadable mediums including memory devices, flash drives, orsemiconductor storage devices (SSD).

The primary CPU 612 may include one or more processor cores andassociated memory required for operation. The processor cores mayinclude microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction setcomputer (RISC) processors, networked computer systems, etc. that arecapable of executing instructions of software programs.

The user interface 115 of the digital mirror receives a user's requestsand sends commands or instructions to the primary CPU 612 forprocessing. The user interface 115 may be used by a user to control aplurality of functions of the digital mirror through the primary CPU612. For example, the user interface 115 can be used to control thedisplay controller 614, the lighting controller 616, the image signalprocessor, and in some cases, the camera module 104, through the primaryCPU 612. The user interface 115 may be an electro-mechanical userinterface, a graphical user interface, a voice command user interface, avisual command interface or a touchscreen user interface that can bemanaged through the use of buttons, a microphone and voice recognition,or through a touch-screen system over the display device for example.The primary CPU 612 receives the requests from the user interface andperforms the requested tasks.

The display controller 614 controls the features and characteristics ofthe display device 106. The display controller 614 may receiveinstructions from the primary CPU 612 to control the display device. Thedisplay controller 614 includes the drivers and electrical componentsrequired to display images on the display device 106. The type ofdisplay device 106 utilized may have different controllable features andcharacteristics. For example, an LCD display device may have differentcontrollable characteristics than a plasma display device or an OLEDdisplay device and require different control signals and drivers.Different display controllers may be matched with the type of displaydevice that is to be controlled.

The display device may be a type of flat panel display that is capableof displaying high quality color video at fast speeds. Examples of flatpanel displays include thin film transistor (TFT) (liquid crystaldisplay) LCD devices and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displaydevices. The display device 106 may have a large viewable angle with acapability of displaying high quality video.

The lighting controller 616 can control the light intensity (brightness)of the lighting sources 102 in response to control signals received fromthe primary CPU. The type of light sources utilized may have differentcontrollable features and characteristics. Different types of lightingcontrollers may be matched to the type of light sources being used.Alternatively, the lighting controller may execute algorithms to modifythe illumination characteristics depending upon the type of light source102 being controlled. Exemplary light sources include one or more offlorescent, compact florescent, or light emitting diodes (LEDs)—thepreferred embodiment of lighting source for the invention.

The image signal processor 610 includes a frame buffer memory 622 tostore pixel data of one or more frames of images. Like the primary CPU,the image signal process can perform image processing operations on thepixel data stored in the frame buffer memory in response to softwareinstructions. Additionally, the image signal processor may be used tocontrol the camera module 104 and any sensors mounted in the cameramodule 104. It is desirable that the image single processor be ofsufficient speed/data bandwidth to manage a video stream of a pluralityof frames of pixel data in order to capture video images and displayvideo on the display device. The image signal processor 610 may processimage data on its own or in conjunction with the primary CPU 612 beforeit is displayed on the display device 106 by the display controller 614.

The camera module 104, also referred to as an image capture device, mayinclude a lens system, an image sensor, and an optional external ImageSignal Processor (ISP). The camera preferably has a high depth of fieldfrom any combination of decreased sensor size, decreased aperture size,and/or an Extended Depth of Field technology within the sensor and imageprocessing system. The image processing may be handled internally on aSystem-On-Chip (SOC) or on an external ISP.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, a second block diagram of an image processingand control system 600B for digital mirrors is shown. The imageprocessing and control system 600B is similar to the image processingand control system 600A illustrated in FIG. 6A but includes acommunication link 650 (e.g., wireless router) for a digital mirror baseunit to communicate with a detachable camera 304 and/or a remotecomputer system 670. The description of the common numbered blocks thatwere described previously are incorporated here by reference.

The primary CPU 612 can store data in the storage device 644. Thestorage device 644 may be removable or fixed within a digital mirrorbase. In either case the storage device may be one or more differenttypes of storage mediums including a semiconductor type of storagemedium (e.g., flash memory, a solid-state storage device.) to name one.If removeable, the storage device 644 may be a Secure Data (SD) card, aCompact Flash (CF) card, or a flash USB memory stick.

Alternatively, the primary CPU 612 may connect to a remote computersystem 670 to store data at its location. In one embodiment, a digitalmirror base may communication wirelessly with the remote computer systemor the detachable camera through a transmitter/receiver 630. The remotercomputer system 670 includes a transmitter/receiver module 671 tocommunicate with the digital mirror base or other mobile devices.

The remote computer system 670 includes one or more storage devices 675to provide a significantly larger data capacity to store data. Theprimary CPU 612 may send data to the remote computer system for storagein its storage devices 675 over a wireless communication linkestablished by the pairs of transmitter/receivers 630,671. The remotecomputer system 670 may send/receive instructions and or data from theprimary CPU 612 to facilitate the data transfer. Alternatively, theprimary CPU 612 may send data to the remote computer system 670 by awire cable, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable coupled betweenUSB transmitter/receivers using a USB communication protocol.

The image processing and control system 600B illustrates the detachablecamera module 304. The detachable camera module 304 may send data andreceive control signals over a communication link established by thepairs of transmitter/receivers 630,631. The detachable camera module 304captures pixel data and may then process the pixel data or simply sendit to the digital mirror base for storage or for display. The detachablecamera module 304 may include its own light source 102 that iscontrolled by the primary CPU 612 to capture the pixel data. Thedetachable camera module 304 may include its own image signal processorand frame buffer memory. Otherwise, the pixel data may be sent over thecommunication link and through the primary CPU to the image signalprocessor 610 of the digital mirror base.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example process 700 provided herein, according tosome embodiments. Process 700 can display pixel data without capturingor storing the image for video data as would with a mobile phone ordigital tablet. Process 700 can continue to redisplay the temporaryimage data on the screen so that subject appear frozen at time indicated(e.g. a screen touch or mouse click). Process 700 does not use systemmemory to freeze the digital image. It instead is stored in volatilememory. However, the user can then choose to store data in nonvolatilememory for archiving. A user can selectively freeze an image or replay astored image to see themselves as they were in a past moment usingvolatile memory or nonvolatile memory. The user no longer needs to holda position or expression, or perform a motion over and over, or holdtheir eyes open to see themselves as the digital mirror can captureimages for later display when a user's eyes are closed, all of which canbe done using volatile memory or nonvolatile memory.

Process 700 provides a display device. Process 700 senses the presenceof the user or scene change within the field of view of the system'simage sensor with a built-in image signal processor. Process 700automatically and concurrently powers on the image sensor. Process 700lights one or more lights around the display device in response to sensethe presence of the user or scene change.

Process 700 captures one or more frames of images of a user or scenechange with the image sensor. Each frame includes an M by N array ofpixel data. The M by N array of pixel data comprises a data structureconsisting of a collection of pixel elements enumerated as pixel P₁₁ topixel P_(m1). Process 700 stores the M by N array of pixel data as aframe of data written into a frame buffer memory of the display device.

Process 700 organizes the M by N array of pixel data in the frame bufferby writing pixel P₁₁ to pixel P_(m1) from left to right. Process 700provides an image signal processor that displays the M by N array ofpixel data in a true view mode and a mirror view mode.

Process 700 receives a freeze image command input from a user. Process700 freezes the displayed the M by N array of pixel data by continuousreloading the M by N array of pixel data that was displayed at the timethe freeze image command input was received.

In the true view mode, the image processor reads out the frame of datafrom left to right, from a pixel P₁₁ to a pixel P_(m1) and instructs theframe of data to be displayed on the display device with pixel P₁₁displayed in the upper left corner, with pixel P_(m1) displayed in theupper right corner, with pixel P_(1n) displayed in the lower leftcorner, and pixel P_(mn) displayed in the lower right corner.

In the mirror view mode, the image processor reads out the frame of databy reversing an addressing of memory locations into the frame buffermemory such that the arrangement of the pixel data in the rows andcolumns is read out of the memory locations in a reverse order of thetrue view mode. Process 700 displays one or more captured frames ofimages in a true view mode or a mirror view mode on the display device.

CONCLUSION

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference tospecific example embodiments, various modifications and changes can bemade to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit andscope of the various embodiments. For example, the various devices,modules, etc. described herein can be enabled and operated usinghardware circuitry, firmware, software or any combination of hardware,firmware, and software (e.g., embodied in a machine-readable medium).

In addition, it can be appreciated that the various operations,processes, and methods disclosed herein can be embodied in amachine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatiblewith a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and can beperformed in any order (e.g., including using means for achieving thevarious operations). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are tobe regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In someembodiments, the machine-readable medium can be a non-transitory form ofmachine-readable medium.

What is claimed by United States patent:
 1. A computerized methodcomprising: for a digital mirror: providing a display device; sensingthe presence of the user or scene change within the field of view of thesystem's image sensor with a built-in image signal processor;automatically and concurrently powering on the image sensor; lightingone or more lights around the display device in response to sense thepresence of the user or scene change; capturing one or more frames ofimages of a user or scene change with the image sensor, wherein eachframe includes an M by N array of pixel data, wherein the M by N arrayof pixel data comprises a data structure consisting of a collection ofpixel elements enumerated as pixel P₁₁ to pixel P_(m1); storing the M byN array of pixel data as a frame of data written into a frame buffer ina volatile memory of the display device; organizing the M by N array ofpixel data in the frame buffer by writing pixel P₁₁ to pixel P_(m1) fromleft to right; providing an image signal processor that displays the Mby N array of pixel data in a true view mode and a mirror view mode;receiving a freeze image command input from a user; and freezing thedisplayed the M by N array of pixel data by continuous reloading the Mby N array of pixel data into the volatile memory that was displayed atthe time the freeze image command input was received; wherein in thetrue view mode, the image processor reads out the frame of data fromleft to right, from a pixel P₁₁ to a pixel P_(m1) and instructs theframe of data to be displayed on the display device with pixel P₁₁displayed in the upper left corner, with pixel Pm1 displayed in theupper right corner, with pixel P_(1n) displayed in the lower leftcorner, and pixel P_(mn) displayed in the lower right corner, andwherein in the mirror view mode, the image processor reads out the frameof data by reversing an addressing of memory locations into the framebuffer memory such that the arrangement of the pixel data in the rowsand columns is read out of the memory locations in a reverse order ofthe true view mode; and displaying one or more captured frames of imagesin a true view mode or a mirror view mode on the display device.
 2. Thecomputerized method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying one ormore captured frames of images in a true view mode by displaying pixelP₁₁ is displayed in the upper left corner, displaying pixel P_(m1) inthe upper right corner, displaying pixel P_(1n) is displayed in thelower left corner, and displaying pixel P_(mn) in the lower right cornersuch that the pixel data is displayed on the display device of thedigital mirror as it was captured by the image capture device.
 3. Thecomputerized method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying one ormore captured frames of images in a true view mode by displaying pixelP_(m1) in the upper left corner of the display device, displaying pixelP₁₁ in the upper right corner of the display device, displaying pixelP_(mn) in the lower left corner, and displaying pixel P_(1n) in thelower right corner.
 4. The computerized method of claim 1 furthercomprising: selecting to display true view images or mirrored viewimages of the frames of images on the display device; and in response tothe selection of true view images, displaying true view images of theframes of images with the display device.
 5. The computerized method ofclaim 1, wherein the selectively powering on includes: sensing thepresence of a user within the field of view of the display device; andautomatically powering on the image sensor and the display device inresponse to sensing the presence of the user.
 6. The computerized methodof claim 1, further comprising: selectively magnifying a portion of theone or more frames of images of the user for display as the mirroredimages or true view images with the display device.
 7. The computerizedmethod of claim 6, wherein the selectively magnifying is selected bypressing a button of a user interface.
 8. The computerized method ofclaim 7, wherein the display device includes a touch screen; and theselectively magnifying includes touching a finger on the touch screen onthe portion of the image to magnify.
 9. The computerized method of claim8 further comprising: extending the image sensor away from the displaydevice to capture one or more left side images, right side images, orback side images of the user.
 10. The computerized method of claim 9further comprising: diffusing the light generated by the one or morelights to produce a softer light for the object or user in the targetviewing area.
 11. The computerized method of claim 10 furthercomprising: optically zooming in and out on the user to select a viewfor the capture of images for display on the display device.
 12. Thecomputerized method of claim 11 further comprising: sensing initialambient lighting; and selecting a light intensity for light generated bythe one or more lights in response to the initial ambient lighting. 13.The computerized method of claim 12, wherein the digital mirrorcomprises a plurality of camera an extendible left camera, a centercamera, and an extendible right camera.
 14. The computerized method ofclaim 13, wherein the digital mirror simultaneously displays anextendible left camera image, a center camera image, and an extendibleright camera image.
 15. The computerized method of claim 14, wherein theuser is able to select, using the touch screen, the true view mode andthe mirror view mode for the extendible left camera image, the centercamera image, and the extendible right camera image.
 16. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, wherein the freeze image command inputcomprises a user touch sensed by a touch screen of the digital mirror.17. The computerized method of claim 16, wherein the pixel data isdisplayed without storing the pixel data in a non-buffer non-volatilememory.
 18. A method for a digital mirror comprising: automatically andconcurrently powering an image sensor, a display device, and one or morelights around the display device; freezing a live camera image stream;by repeatedly displaying a same data or image frame selected by a userfrom a system's volatile memory, without capturing or storing orarchiving the image frame; and redisplaying the image frame repeatedlywith an ability to manipulate the paused or frozen frames' attributes.19. A method for a digital mirror comprising: freezing once selected bya user one or more frames without capturing or storing the frames,either at a time lapse interval set by a user or without time lapse; ofmultiple views or perspectives of a plurality of cameras' field of viewof a scene or user in the scene with multiple cameras connected to thesystem's bezel enclosure or remote cameras from multiple views such astelescoping camera back or side or top or bottom views; Front facingcamera True/Mirrored views.